How to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on a Budget

Look, St. Patrick’s Day in Philadelphia is essentially a marathon of green beer, Tullamore Dew, and convincing yourself that Guinness is a food group. But between cover charges, overpriced drinks, and that inevitable 2 AM cheesesteak run, it’s way too easy to wake up the next day with a financial hangover on top of the real one.

Good news? You don’t have to be rich to rage. Here’s how to have an incredible St. Paddy’s Day in Philadelphia without your bank account hating you the next morning.

1. Hit Up Free Events & Bar Crawls 

Why are we out here paying for fun when Philadelphia is practically throwing it at us for a fraction of the cost? Some of the best St. Patrick’s Day events cost $0—and that’s exactly my price range.

• Erin Express – If you know, you know. A legendary St. Paddy’s bar crawl featuring some of the best Irish bars in the city at ticket prices as low as $14.95. No cover, free St. Patrick’s Day swag, drink and food specials for under $20? That’s exactly my price range.

• Philly St. Patrick’s Day Parade – Not a drinking event, but still a vibe. Watch bagpipers, Irish dancers, and 50 different people wearing the same “Kiss Me, I’m Irish” shirt.

Budget Tip: Stick to bars with good specials and save your cash for drinks.

2. Pregame Like a Pro 

I love a good night out, but I also love having money for rent. If you’re planning to drink all night, do it smart.

• Host a St. Paddy’s Pre-Game – Have your friends BYOB and sip some Guinness before you start throwing money at bartenders.

• Stick to One Drink – Don’t start with cocktails, move to beer, then take shots… unless you’re trying to wake up fully confused and broke.

• Find Bars With Drink Specials – Some places still believe in happy hour deals, and those are the bars we support.

Budget Tip: A pint lasts longer than a shot and looks festive in your St. Paddy’s photos—so be strategic.

3. Eat Before You Go

Drinking on an empty stomach is a mistake we’ve all made—but bar food is expensive AF, and $16 nachos at 1 AM will ruin your budget.

• Eat something filling before you head out – Carbs = your best friend (also helpful for preventing shoddy decisions).

• Pre-plan your cheap late-night bite – Philadelphia has way better drunk food options than overpriced bar snacks.

• Lorenzo’s & Sons Pizza – $6 for a giant slice.

• Jim’s Steaks – A cheesesteak at 2 AM is a Philly rite of passage

• Wawa – Enough said.

Budget Tip: Set aside $10 cash for food so you don’t drunkenly swipe your card on a feast you won’t even remember ordering.

 4. Don’t Let Uber Scam You 

On St. Paddy’s, Uber and Lyft WILL hit you with surge pricing so aggressive you’ll consider just walking home. Here’s how to avoid it:

• Use SEPTA – A $2.50 train or bus ride > a $40 Uber any day of the week.

• Walk Between Bars – Pick an area where you can bar hop without needing a ride (University City, Rittenhouse, Old City, etc.).

Budget Tip: If you’re taking Uber or Lyft, walk a few blocks away from busy areas to find cheaper fares.

Have Just as Much Fun Without Overspending

You don’t have to drop hundreds of dollars to have the best St. Patrick’s Day in Philadelphia. Stick to bar crawls, budget-friendly bars, and smart spending choices, and you’ll wake up the next day with memories instead of regret.

Now that you know how to do St. Paddy’s on a budget, it’s time to figure out where to actually go! Check out our Where to Drink in Philadelphia This St. Patrick’s Day guide for the best bars and Irish pubs in the city—you definitely need a game plan before you start drinking green beer.